Chennai Metro Phase 2 expanded into the city’s western suburbs on October 11 with the inauguration of the approximately 15-km Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani stretch, a corridor with 11 stations developed at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore. The elevated line is expected to improve public transport access between Poonamallee, Porur and Vadapalani.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the stretch on Sunday. Passenger services began at 4 pm on the inauguration day and continued until 9 pm. From Monday, October 12, regular services are scheduled to run in both directions between 7 am and 9 pm.
The stations on the new stretch are Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Iyappanthangal, Thelliyaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani. The route connects residential neighbourhoods, major junctions and employment-linked areas in western Chennai.
On Mondays to Saturdays, trains are scheduled to run every 10 minutes during peak periods from 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm. During non-peak hours, including 7 am to 8 am, 11 am to 5 pm and 8 pm to 9 pm, the frequency is scheduled at 15 minutes. On Sundays and public holidays, services are scheduled every 15 minutes between 7 am and 9 pm.
Vadapalani will serve as the interchange point with Chennai Metro’s existing operational network. Passengers can connect to Corridor 2 services at the station and continue towards destinations including Egmore, Chennai Central, Alandur and Chennai Airport through the relevant connecting services. The new connection gives commuters from Poonamallee, Porur and adjoining areas an alternative to travelling entirely by road.
The corridor has been designed for train operations at speeds of up to 80 kmph. According to reports, 36 trains have been allocated for Corridor 4, while 10 trains are planned for initial operations. Corridor 4 is part of Chennai Metro Phase 2 and is also known as the Yellow Line.
The new stretch incorporates Automatic Train Control, Automatic Train Protection and Communication-Based Train Control systems. It also has driverless train operation capability and platform screen doors. The screen doors separate passengers from the tracks and are intended to strengthen safety on station platforms.
A notable engineering element is an approximately 3.7-km double-decker section, where transport infrastructure is arranged across two levels to optimise available space. The project also includes an interchange facility between Corridors 4 and 5, which is expected to support wider Phase 2 connectivity as additional sections become operational.
The corridor is expected to support daily travel by office-goers, students and residents across Poonamallee, Kattupakkam, Iyappanthangal, Porur and Vadapalani. It is also intended to improve access to employment centres and industrial areas in western Chennai, including locations connected to the Chennai–Sriperumbudur belt. Regular operations on the new stretch are scheduled to continue from 7 am to 9 pm.
